by J E Reed
If she’d had the strength, she might have run, but Kiuno felt like the weight of a thousand lifetimes had sapped her energy.
Outside the gate, Kiuno stopped before the only tree that stood near the castle. Its trunk had split in half and it leaned in a way that should have killed it, but small branches shot from the base.
If a tree could survive a war, then Scorpios could do the same. He’d battled through too much to quit now.
Kiuno collapsed on the ground and picked at the dead bark. She’d gotten a second chance with Elite, but she still wondered if she was cursed to lose them all.
She scanned the horizon. Another war was coming.
Reece. Had part of the enemy’s force marched upon her friend? Was he even aware of the danger lurking on his doorstep?
The soft clinking of metal caused Kiuno to turn. K.J. strode through the field, his gaze locked on the ground. She shifted and he sat beside her, the two watching the stars.
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m tired of losing people.”
“No one is lost yet.”
“He protected me.”
K.J. shifted his legs. “People sacrifice themselves for what they believe in.”
“I wish it wasn’t me.”
“I imagine anyone in your position would feel the same. Your power and the decisions you make with it has saved far more lives than it’s taken. Rest assured in that at least.”
She sighed. “So, what’s the plan?”
“I’ve gotten reports. They’re lining up.”
“Will someone help?”
K.J. shook his head. “Our closest ally, Samar, is south right now with part of his forces.”
“What about the other one? Atilla?”
K.J. scoffed. “He’s more likely to take my head than help me keep it. We’ll set up barricades and traps to diminish their numbers. This time we’ll be ready.” He paused. “Are you up for doing your part?”
“Doesn’t seem like we have much choice.”
A question sat on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t ask. Palindrome was the only one skilled enough to keep Scorpios steady, but they would need her in the coming battle. K.J. always focused on what benefited the greater good, not individuals.
“Palindrome says the worst should be over tonight and if Scorpios survives, she has three people who can tend to him during the fight.”
Kiuno hated how transparent her worries always seemed to be. “Thank you.”
“We estimate they’ll be here in two days. I want you to rest as much as possible before then.”
“I’ll be ready.”
K.J. left and she waited another twenty minutes before creeping toward the felinians. She hated to lie, but she wasn’t taking any chances. The castle wall had already fallen once.
She snuck between the sleeping creatures, avoiding those injured and found Cybele stroking Milo’s neck. Two young cubs sat nestled in her lap and she scratched behind one’s ear. It stretched out, but the other didn’t seem to notice.
Cybele placed a finger to her lips when Kiuno approached.
“I need to borrow a felinian,” she whispered.
Cybele tilted her head and her stitched cheek stretched in response. “Plans in the middle of the night?”
“Plans to ensure we don’t have as many casualties when this nightmare hits us.”
Cybele’s eyes fell to the little one as she stroked down its neck. “What are they?”
“We need allies and since K.J. doesn’t seem as willing to get them, I’m going to.”
“So, you’re going against another’s better judgement?”
Her countenance fell. “After what I saw out there, I’m not sure we can win on our own.”
Cybele continued petting the creature in her lap. “Take Asher. He’s the one you rode earlier, and he’ll be our fastest flyer.” Cybele pointed. “Be careful.”
Kiuno nodded and crept through the sleeping giants. She spotted a sleeping Jim, but walked several yards around to avoid waking him. Heads rose as she passed, and a few warning growls echoed behind her.
Upon reaching the large male, Kiuno paused. He raised his head, but his expression remained neutral as he crawled forward.
Without a saddle, Kiuno climbed onto the creature’s back and he took off into the night air. Powerful muscles beat beneath Kiuno’s body and she hunkered low.
Atilla might not care for K.J., but he’d shown an interest in her. Perhaps she could use that to their advantage even if she had to sacrifice her freedom to do it. Atilla craved power and control. She was the lightning user. She wasn’t about to let her friends die no matter what deal had to be made.
Time flew with the wind and Kiuno prayed she’d make it back before sunrise. If not, she’d have some explaining to do.
When the castle entered her view, Kiuno straightened and steered the felinian toward the tallest tower. Men pulled their weapons and called for backup when she landed.
“Who are you?” one demanded.
Asher snarled at him, causing the guard to take a few retreating steps.
“Tell Atilla Kiuno needs to see him and it’s urgent.”
One man fled into the castle, seeming glad for the task when faced with such a powerful creature. Kiuno doubted any of them would stand a chance if the beast wanted to tear them apart.
She swung her leg over and slid from its back, her legs throbbing and back painful. So much had happened in one day.
Kiuno glanced at the men, their pikes all positioned toward her and Asher. The felinian sat and folded its wings. She patted his side. The nervous way his eyes flitted this way and that told her he wouldn’t stay away from Cybele long.
Kiuno had often wondered what kind of connection Cybele shared with the creatures. Perhaps it went further than anything she could imagine.
Kiuno walked to the edge and placed her hand over the wall. One guard stepped forward, but a rippling snarl from Asher had him backpedaling.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” he said.
She bit back the retort for him to do the same.
Kiuno tapped her foot and shifted across the space again before someone emerged from the tower stairwell.
“He’ll see you.”
Kiuno filed past the guards and turned before she went inside. “Don’t threaten him. I won’t be held responsible if you do.”
When she turned back, the man before her held out his hand. “Your weapons.”
She grimaced, untied her belt, and pulled the daggers from her boot.
The guard led her down a series of maze-like halls. Shadows danced off the stone from the fires contained in braziers, but otherwise the castle was quiet.
When they neared a room, two men stood at attention, their hands resting on weapons.
“Tell him she’s here.”
The guard looked her over, snickered, and announced her arrival. He stepped aside, and she walked through alone.
Candles of every shape and size lit the inside of an orderly room. Papers were stacked perfectly, and several rugs covered the cold floor. Trophies from a good hunt.
Atilla stood with his back to the door and Kiuno walked through uncertain. The guards exited and closed the door, leaving the two of them alone.
Atilla turned with a glass in each hand. He pointed to a chair with a soft cushion resting on it, then sat behind a desk.
“I have to say; this is an unexpected visit.” He slid the glass to her side of the table.
She took it but didn’t drink. “But I hope not unwelcome.”
Atilla chuckled. “The hour isn’t ideal, but I’ve been hoping you might come.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but that’s not why I’m here.” She remembered his offer back at their first meeting and prayed he wouldn’t ask for her service as payment.
“Shame.” He sat back in the chair and sipped his drink. She eyed hers but didn’t touch it. “What can I do for you then?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard ab
out the recent attack?”
“I did. I also heard you retaliated and took control of another castle.” His face scrunched at the thought. Kiuno reminded herself of Atilla’s conflict with Reece.
“Monsters are pouring from the sixth realm and headed our way.”
“And you want my help.” Kiuno nodded and Atilla swirled his drink. “What did Samar say?”
“He’s still south. With Grayson.”
That piqued his interest. “I didn’t realize the two were meeting.”
“Neither did I.” It was an honest response, though she didn’t really care what one alliance leader did with the other.
Atilla rubbed at the stubble on his face. “Interesting. Aren’t you one of K.J.’s advisors?”
Kiuno didn’t think Atilla was the sort of man to understand friendship so she nodded. “We met the monsters on their turf a few days ago and one of my friends was critically injured. I’m not asking you to send your entire force. Just enough people to prevent a breach in the wall.”
“Does K.J. know you’re here?”
She averted her gaze. “No.”
His eyes seemed to flicker, but he regained his composure and set his empty glass on the table. “We’ve had our differences, but with innocent lives at stake I won’t be the first to deny an ally’s call for aid.” He poured himself another drink. “I’ll assume there are traps around the area?”
She nodded. “But if you go around the back, you’ll avoid them. K.J. is stationing us outside the castle for the fight. I hope your army isn’t needed, but if they break through…”
“We’ll be there. Do you fight at the front?”
“Yes, with many of the magic users.” She paused as he took a swig of wine. “Thank you for doing this.” Kiuno stood.
“You’re leaving?”
“I have to get back before they notice I’m gone.”
“I see.” He sat forward. “Just remember, I’m doing this for you. I know you have friends in that castle, and I’ll do what I can to protect them. In return I hope you take my proposal seriously.”
“Thank you, I will.” Kiuno dismissed herself and the guards opened the door. She tried to match the steps of her escort. Atilla would expect a return on his favor, of that she was certain.
Kiuno relaxed as she stepped into the open air and saw Asher safe and sound. She mounted and took off without looking back. She had no intention of joining Atilla, but if he ever found out she was the lightning user then K.J. might very well have another fight on his doorstep.
~~~
ASHER SOARED slower than she would have liked, using the wind to carry them home. She might have pushed him to go faster if not for all the trauma he’d suffered.
Elite paced inside the front gate when she landed. Kiuno took the time to say her goodbyes to the felinian before turning to her anxious husband.
“Cybele told me where you’ve been.”
Kiuno pressed a kiss to his lips and whispered, “Not here.” She took his hand and led him through the castle.
With most asleep, the couple passed through the halls unnoticed and crept to their room. Kiuno locked the door, let her weapons fall to the floor, and kicked off her shoes. She knelt at the fireplace and heated the logs.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Elite crossed his arms.
“I sent for reinforcements.”
“From who?”
“Atilla.”
Elite sat on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t think him and K.J. were on good terms.”
“He’s not, but I am. Or seem to be. The nearest castle can’t help, and the other two alliances are too far to make it in time.” She sighed. “You weren’t here, but the wall fell during our last fight and with Scorpios hurt, I just couldn’t risk not having backup.”
Elite ran his hands up and down her arms. “Why do you always feel the need to do things on your own?”
“Flying is faster with one person.”
“But you never tell me anything.”
“Because you wouldn’t have let me go.”
He sighed, wrapped one arm around her back, and pressed his forehead to hers. “How many times are you going to put yourself in danger?”
“As many times as it takes to get us home.”
48: Betrayal
Realm: 5
Day: 327
Kiuno stood at the front of their waiting army with Palindrome on one side and Maltack on the other. Most sat in the grass at this point, anxiously awaiting the coming battle as the sun peeked over the horizon.
The morning air filled her lungs, but it did nothing for her nerves as she switched between sitting and pacing back and forth.
Her body trembled as she recalled the sea of monstrous faces. They had an insatiable lust for blood. Teeth, claws, and smiles. Not a human in sight.
Kiuno sat again, this time facing the castle. The sun gleamed from the stone bringing back images of fire and near failure. She prayed it wouldn’t fall this time.
She glanced at the men. Some whispered to their comrades while others meditated upon the coming battle. The sound of sharpening weapons and shifting steel made Kiuno grit her teeth.
Their forces were lined along the curtain wall’s front and fanned to either side in a strategic line. Archers stood ready and magic users, like herself, had been stationed at the front.
The civilians were hidden. The supplies ready.
She took another breath and stood. Silver and Elite were stationed in the second line of defense. He still didn’t like her in the front guard, but she’d agreed to join them upon exhausting her capabilities.
If their tactic even worked.
Humans naturally feared for their lives and upon seeing her magic, they scattered. But did monsters feel the same? Would they converge upon the magic users without regard to their safety?
A blaring horn echoed across the field and Kiuno’s heart raced in the passing silence. The horn sounded again. A long, deep bellow.
Metal clanked against metal and shouts rose above the noise as leaders gave their orders and boosted morale.
Kiuno wrapped shaking fingers around her sword.
Maltack stood at her side, his gaze sweeping across the green landscape that would soon be red with blood and bodies. She hated the smell and the way it crawled to her tongue, tasting of copper.
Shadows rose against the horizon.
Once the traps triggered and the enemy closed in past the archers’ range, she’d make her move. Maltack and his subordinates would ensure her safe return.
Those who could see her face would know the lightning user after today, but the news was spreading, and it seemed likely that many knew her identity already. Kiuno hoped that brought them peace.
The shadows grew closer, their numbers as great as she remembered on the rescue mission for the young felinians. K.J. didn’t have a way to contact Reece. She worried for him. He didn’t have the manpower they did, nor the magic users to defend himself.
Screams echoed from behind and Kiuno whipped her head around. An army, smaller than Kiuno would have liked, marched from the backside of the castle. Their flags were black and white, crossed over one another in a diamond-shaped pattern. The colors Atilla had chosen to represent himself.
“Why is he here?” Palindrome asked.
Kiuno didn’t have a chance to respond as magic engulfed the rear part of K.J.’s army. Flames rose high, screams followed, and Kiuno’s heart thundered at the carnage invisible to her eyes.
Palindrome darted through the crowd without a second thought and commanded part of her regiment to follow.
The monsters cried out and growled, sending a shiver down Kiuno’s spine. They were closing in from the front, barreling toward them like the crazed creatures she knew them to be.
Long claws promised death. Sharp teeth promised pain.
She knew the traps wouldn’t hold them long.
Murmurs echoed among the lines of men as their eyes followed Palindrome and then
darted toward the creatures closing in.
Kiuno clenched her fists. A traitor. K.J. was right. Atilla would rather see K.J.’s head on a spike than help. She’d brought death to their door on both sides.
Fire exploded a mangonel and part of their rear ranks scattered as half went to aid their comrades and the other half filled the line.
She needed to help but—growling screams echoed as the first line of creatures fell into long spike-filled trenches. Kiuno’s head whipped around, hoping the traps might buy them some time.
The beasts surged forward, trampling their fallen brethren without a passing glance.
Palindrome was supposed to lead this line. The men responded to her, but judging from the chaos still unfolding, it didn’t appear she’d be back in time.
Kiuno glanced at Maltack. He was a young man ready to take on the world, yet he seemed bewildered at the events unfolding.
The line faltered. Men took a step back. If they ran, the monsters would overtake their ranks and it’d all be over.
“Stand firm,” she shouted. Kiuno stepped out, all eyes following. “Those assigned to Palindrome, secure the back. The rest of you, trust your comrades and focus on the enemy before you. Remember your formations and stand your ground!”
Kiuno hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. Maltack raised one hand. The archers shuffled, notching their arrows as monsters fell into the wide ditch they’d hidden beneath ground. The archers fired, and Kiuno charged, screaming with her allies at her back.
The enemy met a wall of fire and shards of ice flew in every direction. Wind fed the flames into a roar and Kiuno ran ahead, letting the lightning wrap her body and crack across the ground.
She let another bolt fly and sparks echoed to her right where Maltack altered their route and sent them back toward their enemy. The more monsters they took out, the better their chances of survival.
The original plan was to conserve energy, but that plan needed some adjustment. Kiuno let the lightning loose upon their enemies time and time again. She stayed close to Maltack as she danced between the carnage.
The lizard beasts trapped her comrades in shadow, but earth users wrapped their bodies in vines, strangling the creatures to death. Mangy dogs with long fangs lunged at several throats, but near invisible shards of glassy ice met them in the air and they dropped one by one.